Izumo Ishidoro are stone lanterns made from Kimachi stone, which is quarried around the Kimachi district of Shinji Town, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. The main production areas are Matsue City and Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture, and in Tottori Prefecture, stonemasons in Sakaiminato City carry on their production. Their origins are said to date back to the Nara and Heian periods, when they began to be used as votive lights with the arrival of Buddhism. In the Momoyama period, as the tea ceremony spread, they came to be placed in gardens. In the Edo period, the Matsue Domain designated Kimachi stone as otome-ishi (restricted stone) and protected it by banning its removal from the domain. Kimachi stone is a fine-grained, soft sandstone that is easy to carve, and because moss readily grows on it, it quickly takes on an aged look. In 1976 (Showa 51), Izumo Ishidoro became the first stone craft to be designated a Traditional Craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (national Traditional Craft). Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square writes the name as '出雲石燈ろう', while Tottori and Shimane Prefecture materials write it as '出雲石灯ろう'.
Origin
The origins of Izumo Ishidoro are said to date back to the Nara and Heian periods, and they are said to have begun to be used as votive lights with the arrival of Buddhism. It is said that at first they were made of mikage-ishi (granite). In time, Kimachi stone quarried in the Kimachi district of Shinji Town came to be used, and the lanterns took on their present form. Production flourished from the Edo period onward.
History
When the tea ceremony spread in the Momoyama period, stone lanterns were favored as garden features expressing 'wabi' and 'sabi'. In the Edo period, the Matsue Domain recognized the value of Kimachi stone and protected it as 'otome-ishi', banning its removal from the domain and general quarrying. As the lord who protected it, Shimane Prefecture materials name the first lord, Matsudaira Naomasa, while Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square names the seventh lord, Matsudaira Harusato (Fumai). From the Meiji era onward, the lanterns became known as works of art for gardens and interior decoration, and in 1976 they became a national Traditional Craft.
Features
The raw material, Kimachi stone, is a tuffaceous sandstone formed about 14 million years ago. Its fine, cohesive particles make it easy to work, and it withstands heat and cold and resists weathering. Because moss readily grows on it, a lantern takes on an aged patina soon after it is placed, blending well into Japanese gardens. Thanks to its resistance to weathering, works from the early Edo period survive today. Today, besides stone lanterns, lighting for indoor use and other items are also made.
Techniques
Hozo-tsugi (tenon joints)
A stone lantern is made by stacking several parts, such as the kasa (roof) and the hibukuro (fire box, the part where the light is lit). In Izumo Ishidoro, except at the joint between the kasa and the hibukuro, the parts are joined with round tenons (maru-hozo) that fit a projection into a recess.
Carving and finishing
Carving is done with chisels in relief carving, line carving, openwork carving and carving in the round. The surface is finished by one of the following methods: migaki (polishing), tsutsuki (pecking), tataki (hammering), gangan or naguri. Depending on the finish, even the same Kimachi stone shows a different surface character.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Quarrying the stone
Kimachi stone is quarried from sandstone layers that extend about 10 km from east to west, centered on the Kimachi district of Shinji Town. Stone free of flaws and impurities is selected.
- 2
Rough shaping
Using an adze (chona), a pickaxe, a three-bladed tool and chisels, the shapes of parts such as the kasa and hibukuro are formed.
- 3
Joining
Except at the joint between the kasa and the hibukuro, each part is joined with round tenons.
- 4
Carving
Using chisels, patterns and forms are carved out in relief carving, line carving, openwork carving and carving in the round.
- 5
Finishing
The surface is finished by migaki, tsutsuki, tataki and other methods, and the harmony of the overall form and curves is adjusted.
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Artisans & Workshops
富永石材店
A stonemason's shop in Tonoe-cho, Sakaiminato City. It is introduced in Tottori Prefecture's traditional crafts pamphlet as the Tottori-side producer of Izumo Ishidoro. The office of 鳥取県石灯ろう協同組合 (the Tottori Prefecture stone lantern cooperative) is located in the shop.
勝部石材店
A stonemason's shop in 湯町, 玉湯町, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, founded in 1973 (Showa 48). It is introduced as a representative maker of Izumo Ishidoro on the traditional crafts website 'KOGEI JAPAN'.
How to Buy
- 富永石材店（鳥取県石灯ろう協同組合）
- Located at 2025-1 Tonoe-cho, Sakaiminato City, it serves as both a Tottori-side producer and the point of contact for the cooperative. Tottori Prefecture's craft introduction page advises contacting the producer directly about purchases. Phone: 0859-42-6328.
Hands-on Experiences
モニュメント・ミュージアム来待ストーン
島根県松江市宍道町東来待1574-1
A stone museum introducing Kimachi stone, the raw material of Izumo Ishidoro. It shows how the stone is quarried through panels and videos. At the hands-on workshop you can try carving Kimachi stone; the fee is about 2,630 yen. Admission is about 500 yen, and it is closed on Tuesdays (or the following weekday if Tuesday is a holiday).
FAQ
Q. Which spelling is correct: '石灯ろう' or '石燈籠'?
A. Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square writes '出雲石燈ろう', while Tottori and Shimane Prefecture materials write '出雲石灯ろう'. '燈' is the old form of the character '灯', and both refer to the same craft.
Q. Is a Shimane Prefecture craft also made in Tottori Prefecture?
A. The main production areas of Izumo Ishidoro are Matsue City and Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture, but Sakaiminato City is also included in the production area of this national Traditional Craft. Sakaiminato City has a Tottori-side cooperative, and stone lanterns are made there from Kimachi stone.
Q. Why does moss grow so easily on Kimachi stone lanterns?
A. Because Kimachi stone is a fine-grained sandstone that absorbs water easily. Since its surface readily retains moisture, moss grows on it easily, and when placed in a garden it quickly takes on an aged look.